Scouting isn't an exact science. Every scout has stories of a player they loved who never panned out, or a guy they weren't high on who played 10 years in the Show. There are rare exceptions, Sidney Crosby, where every scout ranks him #1 and labels him "can't miss."

Those players are very, very rare, and no player in the 2012 is a lock to be the next Crosby, but this draft class has a lot of very good to great players, and as usual not everyone has them ranked in the same spot.

I caught up with Mark Edwards from hockeyprospect.com and got his thoughts on a bunch of players, but we focused mainly on centres and D-men.

Hockeyprospect won't release their final rankings and complete draft guide until June, but Edwards chatted about who they liked, and why they recently ranked Alex Galchenyuk #1.

Jason Gregor: Did you move him up because he's a centreman, and you look at the potential value of a centreman being higher than a winger?

Mark Edwards: Yeah, I guess that would be one of the factors. I mean, we had Tyler Seguin ranked first over Hall which, you know; most had Hall at number 1. You could kind of look at it, I guess, similar to that. I like the fact that he's a big 6’2” centreman. I think he's a little more dynamic and makes players around him a little better than, say, Yakupov does. I'm not trying to sound sour on Yakupov, but you've got to put someone there.

JG: What about the injury factor for Galchenyuk? Is that a concern?

ME: Not a concern for me. And I spoke to one NHL team with a top eight pick, and he said he had absolutely no concerns at all.

JG: What's the best part of his game?

ME: I think just he's smart. He's a lot faster player than a lot of people think. He's powerful, and he's a great distributor of the puck.

JG: What about a weakness?

ME: I think his biggest weakness is probably that he needs to get better defensively. He made some strides early in the season before he was hurt, which wasn't a big stretch, and he actually showed signs of showing a little more commitment to defence in his brief return. And I saw two of his games. One of our scouts is based in Sarnia who saw him 40 times last year and saw every game in his return, so we're pretty much all over the Sarnia boys.

JG: What's the best element of Yakupov’s game, and what are his weaknesses?

ME: I think the best element of his game is just his pure goal scoring ability and his powerful bursts down the wing, his ability to create scoring chances all on his own. I think the weakness would be probably still distributing the puck a little bit. And I think you have to start to worry about the way he plays, with his aggressive style at 5’ 10 ½” and the injury concerns he had this year.

JG: Okay. Let's talk about the centre position. Galchenyuk is number 1 on your list then, who would be the next best centre in your mind?

ME: I really like Zemgus Girgensons from the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the United States Hockey League. He's got the top 6 scoring ability; and he plays a very physical brand of hockey - hard working, very, very good in all three zones. And he's just got that killer instinct and that will to succeed. I think he did a whole lot this year without a whole lot of help with him.

JG: How do you separate that, the quality of linemates, when it comes to looking at young players and projecting where they'll be in the future?

ME: It's always a factor, just like it is with being on weak teams. You know, maybe not just linemates, but I think weak teams. He wasn't on a brutal team, but they weren't as strong as last year. But whenever I watched Zemgus, I didn't think he had a whole lot of help around him, and they were definitely a much, much weaker team when he was occasionally out with some injuries. I really feel like he's one of the high‑end players that's been underrated by a lot of folks.

JG: What are your thoughts on Grigorenko?

ME: I'm not a fan at all, not a fan at all. He's got the elite skill, but he doesn't have that same desire. He would be the polar opposite of Girgensons' work. Girgensons will go through a brick wall to succeed. I just find flashes of brilliance from Grigorenko but then other times you wouldn't want to give him another shift.

JG: What about Radek Faksa from Kitchener?

ME: Faksa is a player that I think could go in the top 10. We've got him a little lower than that just because of consistency. There were games where I absolutely loved him and I can see him going in a top-five spot. There were other games where I could see him probably going in the early 20s just because of the lack of that high‑end potential game after game after game. And I saw Kitchener a lot. They're an hour away.

JG: There is another centreman in the OHL I'm guessing you saw a fair amount out of Belleville, Brendan Gaunce. What are your thoughts on him?

ME: Yeah. Brendan Gaunce, really good kid. I've spoke to him a lot this year because we're doing a book. I've got an author doing a book on him. We've interviewed him once a week all year, so he’s a kid I'm really familiar with. He is more of a second line centre or maybe even a third line centre in the NHL. He's very, very smart.

I call him a coach's type player, where you would have him out on power play but also have him out in last minute of the game. You just know he's going to execute and be in the right spot. He makes very few mental errors. NHL shot already, big kid, just probably doesn't have the same level of scoring as a guy like a Galchenyuk.

JG: It looks like there's probably going to be eight or more D-men taken in the first 15 picks. Right now who do you have as the highest ranked defenceman?

ME: We really like Griffin Reinhart.

JG: What about Reinhart puts him ahead of guys like a Ryan Murray, Matt Dumba, Morgan Rielly etc?

ME: Well, I'll qualify and say that with Reinhart, Murray, Trouba, Rielly or Pouliot, I think you could throw a blanket over them; and if any team took any one of those as the first guy off the board, I wouldn't really argue a whole lot. For me, Reinhart with that 6’ 4” size, his offensive abilities, the way he plays in his own zone ‑ I just really try and always find the smartest guys, and I think he and Murray are the two guys that are the smartest of the bunch.

And then I just throw in that extra size capability and the fact that Reinhart hasn't done a whole lot of training in off-seasons during his whole career thus far. He'll start like his brother (Max) did after he's been drafted, and I just see the upside being a little bit better. I mean, we're talking one ranking notch.

JG: Any concerns about his game?

ME: Due to his size, right now his feet are the weakness. But like I said, he's never done any major sort of training in the summers. He and his brother do other things. When Max was drafted, he started to work on skating more, and I think you will see Griffin do the same thing. After he goes off the board in June, he'll probably do some work on his footwork this summer and make progress, as his brother did.

JG: Now, you listed a lot of defencemen, but you didn’t have Dumba in with the guys like Trouba, Rielly, Murray and Reinhart. Do you have any concerns about his game?

ME: We like him. I have him that one slight notch behind that pack just simply because I don't think he has the same level of hockey IQ as those other guys. I don't think he plays as smart a game. I think the areas he could lead in are shooting, his offensive capabilities, his skating and hitting. He is truly high, high end, but I think his weaknesses are a bigger dropoff, and that's some of the defensive mistakes and liabilities. Can he get better at that? Obviously he can, but in this particular year he's up against some pretty stiff competition.

JG: Give me your thoughts on the diminutive Tarvainen who is playing in Finland right now. He's only listed at 160 pounds. He's 5’ 10” and he’s got a ridiculous amount of skill. Who does he remind you of, and is this a guy that likely is going to take a few years before coming into his own?

ME: I absolutely love him. I went to the Czech Republic, and I just couldn't get enough of watching him. He almost looked like he was playing ‑ you know, just playing pickup on a Sunday morning with some guys that were beneath his skill level and taking it easy at times. The puck was on a string. His vision stood out for me, the play‑making ability, just the plays that all of a sudden came out of nowhere when he had a guy draped on top of him and how quickly he could spin out of a corner and spin out of a check. He really, really impressed me. I think he's one of the elite, skilled with the puck, playmakers and scorers in this draft.

JG: What about Forsberg from Sweden?

ME: Really like him. He brings more of the power down the wing style. I think he needs a good centreman to bring out the best of him. He was excellent as well in the Czech Republic. He had an elite centreman on his line at that tournament, who was actually a late '94 and will go next year and we've got highly ranked for next year, Elias Lindholm.

Lindholm brought out the best in Forsberg. It was the best I've seen Forsberg. He's a kid who will mix it up. He wins his own pucks. He can flat out score. You get the puck inside the house, around the net, and he just finishes.

JG: What about surprise picks? Any guys who are maybe mid first‑rounders to late first‑rounders who you think will be solid late first rounders.?

ME: A winger that I coached, actually, a couple of years ago, University of Michigan, Phil DiGiuseppe, might be towards the end of the first round. I think that he might surprise some people when he gets a couple more years under his belt. He has high, high‑end scoring ability. He's got a real burst of speed through the neutral zone, and he’s a very smart player. I know him personally, so I know his commitment level. He's a good kid and a kid that's going to just keep getting better.

Another is a Stanstead College kid, Mark Jankowski, it will be interesting to see where he comes off the board. Scouts had to watch him play against inferior opponents so they had to judge him on skill alone. I thought he had a pretty high level of skill. I'm not sure where he'll end up coming off the board. Someone might get him in the second round somewhere, maybe even later than that. We'll have to find out. But he's another player that I think might be a steal a little bit later on.

Other forwards? You know, Sebastian Collberg, the Swede, the undersized Swede, has very, very high‑end skill. Size concerns will be there, because he is really tiny. But if he gets a little bit bigger, he could be one. Tanner Pearson will be interesting, the overage player, and to see where he goes off. Will he go in the first round or into the second? He's put up some huge numbers this year.

JG: And he's an overager, and because of that many expect he should be dominating. So how much does that hurt him in the eyes of scouts?

ME: It hurts him for us. We're not dropping him to the fifth round or anything, but it does hurt him for us because he does have two extra years. If you pick a name out of your hat here, a forward, and add two years development, what kind of numbers is he going to put up in his respective league? And that's kind of how we look at it in the situation. He obviously played well in the World Juniors, and he's a great talent, but I think it would be silly not to think about the extra two years development he's had, and the clear strength advantage. I mean, he's more of a man, so to speak.

JG: What about some other D-men who haven’t been talked about a lot. Guys who have underrated offensively or a very steady defenseman who just shuts down the opposition and likely won’t put up a lot of points.

Slater Koekkoek might go a little bit earlier than that with the Peterborough Petes. He's another one of the top guys that was injured. He's got some offensive abilities, too, but people underrate his defensive skill.

Patrick Sieloff of the United States program. Now, he's the definition of a defensive defenceman, a shutdown guy. I really like him, and he’s a real physical kid, one of the tougher D in the draft, but he probably levels out at 6 feet.

JG: Cody Ceci is an interesting player for me. He was rated higher earlier and now is out of the top-ten in some people’s eyes. Is a top-pairing guy, or more of a solid #3 or #4 D-man?

ME: He'll go off the board in the top 20 for sure. He's got some offensive ability and a really good shot. If I had to pick negatives ‑ they're not huge, huge weaknesses, but if I had to pick negatives, I would say a little bit of a footspeed issue. Coming off the wall on the power play, he's not the quickest guy getting to the middle. And he's a little bit too nice. I'd like him to be a little bit more of a nastier player and use that size. He can move the puck. He can carry it up ice, and despite the fact that he's not overly physical and mean, he contains guys along the walls and does his job.

Some interesting thoughts and great insight on a some players who will hear their name called sometime in the first round, and possibly a bit later.

I'll be chatting with more independent scouts in the next few weeks. If there are a few specific players that you'd like to get a scouting report on, let me know and I'll include it in the the upcoming weeks.

One of Canada's most versatile sports personalities. Jason hosts The Jason Gregor Show, weekdays from 2 to 6 p.m., on TSN 1260, and he writes a column every Monday in the Edmonton Journal. You can follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JasonGregor

Jason, we have heard a bunch about forwards and d men available in the draft this June. I don't hear anything about the goalies. I know the Oilers won't be drafting any keepers in the first few rounds, but any word on who the top goalie prospects are?

Nice read, Gregor. Can you possibly post something more on Tom Wilson? This is a player I have read your comments on previously and somebody I know is likely out of range at 31 for the Oilers, but wouldn't he be intriguing in our system?

I still wouldn't mind trading pick. Not sold on Yakupov and would prefer D with a year or two of development. Galchenyuk is interesting but he didn't even play so sounds risky for a first overall pick?

I like how they went against the norm in picking Galchenyuk over Yakupov then actually explained why. I don't agree with it, but deffinetly appreciate and respect them for it.

I know I keep saying this but the Oilers need to draft Yakupov #1 and do whatever it takes to acquire another top pick and also get Galchenyuk! I honestly believe if they dont they have walked away from this draft with something left on the table.

Pretty interesting that they went with Alex Galchenyuk as the number 1. I've never heard that before, but it doesn't mean they're not right...

I'm really curious as to what the Oilers are going to do this year! So many variables, from who's on top, to 'do you take a russian', to trading for an established star, to trading down and getting an extra high pick or player!

I agree, Wes, we shouldn't draft a defenseman. Of course, all our D-prospects will pan out and by drafting a vital part of a winning team will only put pressure on us to win games. It is so much more fun to have our players appear on Sportsnight highlights...'what a great individual effort by Yakopov in the WHC gold medal game!'.

I agree, Wes, we shouldn't draft a defenseman. Of course, all our D-prospects will pan out and by drafting a vital part of a winning team will only put pressure on us to win games. It is so much more fun to have our players appear on Sportsnight highlights...'what a great individual effort by Yakopov in the WHC gold medal game!'.

Or we draft a defensmen in the first round and can spend the next 4 years developing another 2/3 3/4 defensmen!

"Did you see that great move Hall put on the goalie to get the winning goal for the Wings to win the cup"! It was the highlight of the night!

So glad we drafted that defensmen 1st overall, the extra 3 years to develop that 3/4 defensmen sure paid off!

This is the newest interview regarding draft ranking. And since it is well written and a good interview. You will convince people that Alex Galchenyuk should be the #1 pick or be in the the same conversation as Yakupov.

This will prove my point that most people have never seen any of the top 10 players play they rely on articles and if the article is written well , it becomes their premise and opinion. Anything that adds to the premise will have extra weight anything that takes away from the premise will be weighted lightly.

Jason, we have heard a bunch about forwards and d men available in the draft this June. I don't hear anything about the goalies. I know the Oilers won't be drafting any keepers in the first few rounds, but any word on who the top goalie prospects are?

The best goalie is Malcolm Subban out of Belleville. Other guys people like are Andrey Makarov from the Saskatoon Blades, Brandon Whitney out of Victoriaville and the Andrei Vasileevski from Russia.

Nice read, Gregor. Can you possibly post something more on Tom Wilson? This is a player I have read your comments on previously and somebody I know is likely out of range at 31 for the Oilers, but wouldn't he be intriguing in our system?

Yes, I did have a short blurb on Wilson but took it out for length. He likely won't be around at 31, but he is exactly what the Oilers need. I'd look at a guy like the Oil Kings Mitch Moroz in 3rd round...He fits the mold of guy with some skill, but also size and toughness.

Here is what Edwards said when we discussed Wilson...

He's not a real pretty player when you watch him cross the blue line with the puck. He doesn't have a whole lot of one on one skills. He will usually just get a shot to the net or get it deep and go after it. But you can't find another player like Wilson in this draft. He's a one of, and I think he's going to come off the board pretty early because of that.

I still wouldn't mind trading pick. Not sold on Yakupov and would prefer D with a year or two of development. Galchenyuk is interesting but he didn't even play so sounds risky for a first overall pick?

I agree it is risky to pass on Yakupov, but if for argument sake Galchenyuk was a slight step below, I'd consider moving down to take him. If I look at longterm picture it is clear they need size and skill down the middle.

I'd look at the options around Galchenyuk, but I'd be floored if they took him first. I still say they take Yakupov, but Galchenyuk intrigues me if, big if, they move down.

If the oil defence corps featured 6 actual NHL d-men I would agree with you. 3 years development time, kind of like Petry or Smid, would be necessary, however I see Murray learning on the job in a top 4 role NOW with our sketchy defence. He is a better option than Potter, Peckman or Sutton, and unless Whitney bounces back majorly...

I know that young Yak will grow up but now he is relatively small and his cocky attitude may not mesh in the dressing room or with the new coach.

" I mean, we had Tyler Seguin ranked first over Hall which, you know; most had Hall at number 1. "

As soon as I read that statement, I had a hard time believing the rest of the scouting report!

Why? They value centres a bit more. We are only two years into Hall's draft year, it is too early to say who will be the best player in a few years. Hall looks like it is him, but Seguin isn't far behind.

If you look at the Oilers, would Galchenyuk or Yakupov make them better. I think there are reasons to debate that Galchenyuk would fill a bigger void that Yakupov. I'm not saying that is the reason you take him, but it's not like Seguin is a bum and Hall is head and shoulders above him.

I find Galchenyuk the more intriguing long-term option, but it would seem a waste to take him at #1.

Do you think it's a reasonable trade to flip picks with Montreal in exchange for Jarred (sp) Tinordi? Would Montreal need a sweetener, or does the supposed drop-off from #1 to #3 justify a 20-year old D-man as a premium?

One of these yrs Steve is going to have to slam his foot down on that accelerator. I'll continue to have hope that Steve can trade up and get a second kid on his wish list, rather than trade down and settle for only one.

I'm starting to lean towards the Milwaukee,Wisconsin born Galchenyuk. He fills a hole on this roster now.

With the lack of activity to date by Tambellini i'm lead to believe he wants another top 5 pick next summer. With or without Tambellini, the Oilers need to make a statement soon. Another opportunity presents itself to fill two holes next month.

I find Galchenyuk the more intriguing long-term option, but it would seem a waste to take him at #1.

Do you think it's a reasonable trade to flip picks with Montreal in exchange for Jarred (sp) Tinordi? Would Montreal need a sweetener, or does the supposed drop-off from #1 to #3 justify a 20-year old D-man as a premium?

I think you are overrating the move from #3 to #1. No chance a team moves up two spots and gives an upper echelon prospect as well.

If a deal like that happens, you might get a 2nd pick or a high end B prospect. I don't see why the Habs would give up that much to move up two spots.

Yakupov is very, very good, but he isn't like Crosby and has superstar written all over him.

"And really, it's a one-man top tier — Nail Yakupov — followed by a second tier of seven guys who could be placed in any order and we'd be fine with it. It really just comes down to the particular needs of the teams drafting in those positions."

Great read Jason- I like your thinking if Alex Galchenyuk is not that far behind Yak in Jr compaisons I would seriously try and trade down to take the bigger center. He will definatley make himself more room in the mens league with his size. We have many holes to fill and if we can get another asset back why not consider. I would try and acquire previous drafted D who might not have opportunity due to depth with the big team. RB suggested Cole out of St Louis. Its these little older more mature defensemen that we should be trying to find which should be fairly attainable with say assets such as Gagne, Hemsky. We do need more sand paper upfront.

I respect your opinion about the defense Reg. Your absolutely right about it having to get better.
Smid just got consistent last year, that was his break out year IMO.

As for Murray, I would be totally on board if he was in the same category as a Hedman or Larrson, but he's not.

My issue with Murray is your wasting a pick on a guy that projects to be a 2/3 defensmen at best! He's not an elite player, good yes but not elite.

As for Yakupov, he's elite and even if he's a little cocky is that necessarily a bad thing? A little swagger in that dressing room may help, as for his height he's 5'11 and growing, he should finnish off around 6'0 feet 200+ pounds.

The Oilers made the mistake of just getting RNH and not going after Larrson as well. IMO

If you can't trade down and still get the player you want (let's assume that it is Galchenyuk for the sake of argument) then perhaps it is best to pass on the "best player available" and take the "best player available for your organization".

I have said here before that this draft year the Oilers are afforded a luxury that many teams never have, the ability to leave immediate talent returns on the table and take a player that will, in the end, better solidify this core.

Galchenyuk is a high-end talent and has noted character traits that could lend themselves well to the hurdles this young team still faces (he rehabbed his knee and came back in his draft year for the playoffs, and several scouting services have noted his ambition and work ethic).

If we use historical comparisons, again for the sake of argument, would the Oilers be better served by adding a Patrick Kane or a Jonathan Toews to their roster?

If Columbus wanted to flip picks I don't expect that we could receive more than a fourth round pick, to be honest.

This could be a first overall pick that, surprisingly, tests MacGregor more than the previous two.

I wouldnt compare yakupov to kane in any way, complete opposite players..

Oilers need to not out think themselves and just draft yakupov..if for some reason theres team chemistry issues then trade one of the kids a year from now for needs..probably get a far greater return then (i dont think the kids and yaks wouldnt get along, they should compliment each other just fine)

The problem with going with Galchenyuk for 1st overall is that you're basing this selection pretty much based entirely on what he did as a 16 year old. He didn't just miss "most" of his 17 yr old season, he missed all but 2 games (not including 4 playoff games).

I can recognize the kid's talent for sure and I could get behind an argument where you'd consider him as a top 5 pick, but IMO it's a HUGE risk to contemplate using up a 1st overall selection on him. NHL draft history is full of examples of guys who were being touted as potential 1st overall selections after stellar 16 yr old campaigns, only to have their warts show up after their 16 yr old season (when scouting scrutiny and tighter opposition checking is turned up a couple more notches).

The best example I comes to mind right away is Dan Cleary as an OHL junior. Back in the mid-90's, he tore up the OHL as a 16 yr old with a 115 point season (followed by an outstanding 27 points in 14 playoff games) on an average Belleville team, and THN had him listed as a potential 1st overall candidate for the '97 draft.

One year later where he fell back to earth a bit on a worse team, and he gets picked at 13th overall.

Put it this way...it could work out to pick someone like Galchenyuk as the 1st pick, but it would take gargantuan gonads to do so. If this were Tambellini's 1st year as Oilers GM and a lot more rope to work with, maybe I could see him signing off on such a move. Now, with the pressure on to improve the team in the short term and growing talk that this next head coach hire will be his last if he chooses wrong?

90 Jagr 5th over Nolan.
92 Gonchar Khabby (Jets penny pinching and getting apparel revenue)
94 Vokoun; how did Mtl let him get away?!
...it takes a brave GM to take a 1st overall pick out of the top 4-5 players, rather than trade down. Philly took Forsberg ranked 18th, at #6, but he wasn't going to be #1. Just hold it to 1-4 and best Euro ranked player when comparing #1 alternatives. Even Carolina traded down one pick (M.Samuelsson probably swung the trade in their favour).

Agree with Digger. Galchenyuk missed a yr of development and wasn't that great coming back. IDK my knee injuries, but am wary of those and concussions. Grigorenko is 20-something on Craig's List, which has me believing I can scout. He had 40G 45A. On the strength of R.Murray's 4 playoff games I got him #1. No one had a great playoffs; should trade for next yr. Got Grigorenko #2. Yakubov #3. And Dumba #4. This scout is saying Dumba turnsover like Phaneuf, Bogosian and J.Johnson. But the 20 goals impresses me; his mild minus is in line with his team. He probably gets goals where Yandle, Green and Niedermayer get them. Reilly #5 point-a-game after injury like Galchenyuk. Not impressed by Reinhart; he is #3 or #4 D on team, but only guy left in Memorial Cup.
Teravainen doesn't impress me much. Is on 2nd or 3rd line but could be a Kariya. 160-lbers can play but Gretzky or skinny Yzerman would be tearing up their league by now.
Ceci gives it away but has good mobility, odd. Wish a could see his stats without Toffoli. I guess I got him 6th. Him or Hertl.

I wouldn't lie about Murray, Edm. It is the only city I can get a ticket for. Watching Det or Chi play, painting OCD and Dementia on the side of my DD-thief's house, and getting mauled by a bear is Jasper is a great weekend for me. Might be weakest goaltending in league, though both have potential for a good yr. Prolly trade for Vokoun or that Philly cup-run goalie. Wow, there was a player named R>larson who got no love like Gonchar. Key is Gonchar played on not a great Senator team and excelled.
I don't like those American US hockey league players too much. You get Tkachuk, but his demand for money was the reason St.Louis's playoff string ended. Talking about heart...who plays without a visor?

Timonen, Brunette, Scott Walker, Vokoun; what a great start Poile gave them. Didn't even want Vokoun but Mtl's Houle wanted the future considerations. lol. I don't get Mtl not wanting to pick the best coach. Offering to learn French is very generous. Comes at the expense of some hockey skills learning, but makes fans happy. Mtl doesn't get a lot of especially good French players...
TransCanada is involved in mob construction contracts; I'm afraid to go work there just like in Southern Italy. Their economy is kaput because they elect commies...
I wish the Jets would trade Enstrom (on age) and get Washington's 15th pick and their pick next year. For Edmonton; no goalies to pick. They really need UFA to happen first. They should maybe trade down a few spots for a good D and try to pick up a goalie. Then sign a D. Waiting for McKinnon isn't the worst strategy but who else is in the draft. Does Edm have a FW who can man the PP point?

What Edm and Cgy should do: jack up their ticket prices and make some cheapies that are twice a person per yr max. Build the high-speed rail with wind turbines to power and build the tool-and-die machines in AB. That ensures rich fans for generations. Then pick one team to rebuild and one to go for it. Mtl and Toronto took eachother out of 2007 playoffs last game of year. Is a stupid strategy.

They could have different leagues play eachother in exhibition games or a friendly tourney, after regular season. Non playoff teams. Would be good for NHL to pay 'em. Then I'd give those crappier development leagues some respect. Toews came from US programme, but the Hobey Baker winners always suck. I'm afraid if I go to work construction in Quebec to pay for scalped tickets, and I don't work unpaid OT, TransCanada Pipelines will have me wacked, or offed, or both.

Sry to multipost but not really; that Vancouver scout begged them over and over to take Edler. I know we should take Hertl. If not 9th, trade for 12 or something. Hockey Writers has Faksa as our pick. He is 2-way; we don't need that and Hertl better internationally and domestically. Hertl is 3rd in pts/game among 24 and under in his league, and 35th overall. He has almost twice as many pts/game as 2nd place among undrafted. Aberg is good in the elite league and bad internationally. Forsgberg is vice-vera. They both look equal too me. IDK military service and contracts, but wouldn't the Czech league be at least as physical and Finnish league? Maybe only Grigorenko is a Conn Smythe winner and probably not. Murray, Grigorenko, Yakubov /axis-break/ Dumba, Reilly, Hertl /axis-break/ Ceci...we have decent D depth so not too worried about yelling: let's take Hertl!! Let's bring him here next year!! I got Koekkoek at around 10th. If he falls into the 20s let's trade to pick him up. Screw what the scouts say about 2013 class, Grigorenko, Hertl, maybe Ceci, Koekkoek are all underrated. Trade the pick next year for a player who will get us into playoffs!